Loose leaf binder



Sept. 22, 1942. J. KAHN LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Dac. 10, 1941 w l u Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNITED STATES AeATENT OFFICE c 2,296,526 LOOSE LEAF BINDER Joseph Kahn, Chicago, Ill. Appucaeion December 10, 1941, serial No. 422,347

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a loose leaf binder and aims to provide a simple and effective binder particularly useful for retaining large sheets of paper such as newspapers, ledger sheets or the like. The invention may also be used for small sheets of paper with advantageous results.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an isometric View of a binder with the cover open;

Fig. 2 shows the binder closed;

Fig. 3 is a detail of one of the spring posts and retaining means therefor;

Fig. 4 is a detail of the top locking strip;

Fig. 5 is a detail of a sheet retaining strip;

Fig. 6 is a detail of an anchor strip; and

Fig. 7 is an isometric detail of part of the binder in position.

The binder itself may be made of stiff board or any other suitable material and comprises a bottom or base member I0, a top member I I and a side member I2 joining the two. Base member I carries a plurality, here three, of flexible coil springs I5, I6 and I1 inclusive, made of suitable wire and normally tending to stand up straight. End spring members I and I'I are preferably in line on base I6 and disposed at equal distances from side I2. Intermediate spring I6 is preferably out of line and nearer side I2 than is true of end spring members I5 and I'I.

In order to maintain sheets 26 in position, a plurality of sheet retaining members 2| are provided. As shown in Fig. 5, each sheet retaining member 2I consists of a comparatively thin long strip of metal or other suitable material having forked ends 22 and 23. The length of retaining strip 2| is such that both portions 22 and 23 normally tend to engage end spring members I5 and I'I and strip 2| may be sprung into or out of position. Retaining strip 2l is preferably narrow enough so that when properly disposed between end spring members I5 and I'I it will clear intermediate spring member I6. Sheet 20 to be retained may either be folded around retaining strip 2I or may be fastened thereto in any suitable manner.

In order to retain the cover rmly in position, side I2 is provided with a pair of sheet metal guides 25 and 26 extending transversely thereof and having the sides bent to form a grooved channel. Cooperating with guides 25 and 26 may be one or more retaining strips 30 having apertures 3I and 32 at the ends thereof through which springs I5 and I1 may be threaded. Strip 30 may be of substantially the same width as strip 2| so that it clears intermediate spring member I6 and at the same time is spaced a substantial distance from side I2 of the cover. Retaining strip 30 is provided with retaining tabs 33 and 34 of the shape shown and, may be slid ldown intov the channels of guides 25 and 26.v When positioned as shown in Fig. 1, it is clear that strip 30 will tend to retain spring members I5 and I'I firmly in position relative to side I2 of the cover. If desired, strip 30 may carry an index sheet or other sheet which ordinarily need not be readily removable. The position and number of retaining strip 30 are not critical. Since the binder proper carries the coil springs it may be advisable to have one strip 30 near the top of the stack of sheets, as seen in Fig. 1.

In order to lock the entire assembly down, a top locking strip 36 is provided. This strip has apertures 31, 38 and 39 inclusive disposed so as to normally register with spring members I5, I6 and II in their normal straight position. Adjacent each aperture, a spring locking clip 4I to 43 inclusive is provided. As shown in Fig. 3, this locking clip is merely a strip of metal or other similar material. Cooperating with each spring is a nut 45 to 41 inclusive each of which may be turned up or down on the spring. In order to lock the assembly in position, it is only necessary to press down the various strips to compress the assembly and then bend each spring and position it under the adjoining locking clip. The nut may then be turned down against the locking clip to maintain each spring in position and prevent casual unlocking thereof.

By virtue Of the construction, easy removal or insertion of sheets is possible around strips 2I. If desired, retaining strip 30 and top locking strip 36 may be combined into one.

What is claimed is:

1. A binder comprising a base, a pair of spring posts extending up therefrom, and a plurality of elongated flat spring members having forked ends engaging said posts and adapted to carry bound matter.

2. The binder of claim 1 wherein a top locking bar is provided through which the posts are threaded and wherein means are provided for locking the posts and bar into assembled position,

3. The binder of claim 1 wherein a top locking bar is provided through which the posts are threaded and wherein said bar carries means for retaining the posts in bent locking position.

4. A binder comprising a base, a plurality of posts extending up therefrom, the end posts being out of line with the remaining post in the normal position, a plurality of elongated flat spring members having forked ends engaging said end posts only and adapted to carry bound matter extending away from the intermediate post, and a top locking bar through Which all posts are threaded and means for locking the bar in position.

5. The structure 0f claim 4 wherein said locking means include ears on said bar and wherein said posts are springs adapted to be bent and engaged by said ears.

6. A binder comprising a base, a pair of coil spring posts extending upwardly therefrom, a plurality of elongated spring members having forked ends engaging said posts and adapted to carry bound matter, a retaining member having apertured ends engaging the posts, means supported by said base for slidingly engaging said retaining member to maintain the spring posts in position, and means for locking the posts in bent position above the binder assembly.

'7. The binder of claim 6 wherein said locking means comprises a bar engaging said posts and having ears for holding the posts in bent position,

8. The binder of claim 6 wherein the locking means on said retainer bar for engaging theV guide means for slidingly retaining said bar on said base, a top locking bar through which all postsY are threaded and means for locking the bar in position.

10. The binder of claim 6 wherein said locking means comprises a bar engaging said posts and having ears for holding the posts in bent position and wherein at least one intermediate coil spring post is provided out -of line with the end posts and clearing the forked members but engaging said locking bar.

JOSEPH KAHN. 

